Chapter 53

Michael Johnson stood frozen as Lucy White's words struck him like lightning.

The memory of Lily Green's calculated lunge flashed through his mind—the thick coat, the perfectly angled fall. Every detail now seemed painfully staged.

"So..." His voice trembled. "That life-saving moment was all a lie?"

Lucy didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window.

When the car stopped in front of the Johnson family villa, Michael remained dazed. Only when Lucy pushed the door open did he snap back to reality.

"Let me walk you in," he blurted.

"No need." She stepped out without looking back.

Rachel Johnson had been waiting in the living room. The moment she spotted Lucy, her face lit up.

"Lucy!" She rushed forward, pulling her into a quick spin. "You've lost weight! Has that idiot not been taking care of you?"

Lucy's eyes stung. "Aunt Rachel, I missed you."

Arm in arm, they headed toward the kitchen, leaving Michael standing forgotten in the hallway.

"I made your favorite black sesame filling," Rachel whispered conspiratorially. "And added that osmanthus honey you loved as a child."

Lucy's throat tightened. After all these years, Rachel still remembered every little thing she adored.

"Aunt Rachel," she said suddenly, "Michael and I broke up."

The dough in Rachel's hands dropped onto the counter with a soft thud.

"When?" Her voice sharpened. "Did he hurt you?"

Lucy recounted the anniversary incident calmly. When she mentioned the trending scandal, Rachel trembled with rage.

"That ungrateful brat!" She slammed her palm on the counter. "I'll break his legs right now!"

"Aunt Rachel." Lucy caught her arm. "My decision is final."

Rachel studied Lucy's face for a long moment before her eyes welled up.

"That boy doesn’t deserve you," she choked out, pulling Lucy into a fierce hug. "From now on, you're my daughter."

Lucy buried her face in Rachel's shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of gardenias—like stepping back into childhood.

"Oh!" Rachel suddenly brightened. "Your mother called saying she's coming to visit?"

Lucy nodded. "She and Noah have already moved in with me."

"Perfect!" Rachel wiped her tears, beaming. "I'll take her shopping tomorrow. She must've been lonely raising Noah alone all these years."

Outside the kitchen, Michael leaned against the wall, the water in his glass long gone cold. The laughter inside pressed down on his chest like a boulder.

So this was what it felt like to lose someone.